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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Center Parcs in Europe, anyone been?

35 replies

triplets · 17/11/2007 23:14

They are not as expensive as in UK, has anyone booked one using their on line site? I am finding it a bit confusing, their addition doesn`t seem to tally with mine! Also is the price in Euros or pounds? Can anyone recommend one of the sites? Thanks!

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scienceteacher · 18/11/2007 05:23

We went to Kempervennen in the Netherlands last year. It was very good - the site seemed to have a lot of variety, and none of it was too crowded. It was a short drive from Calais.

The prices are in Euros.

Furball · 18/11/2007 07:29

the prices are in euros

we went to centerparcs emhoff in holland last august. We booked in January so got an early savers discount then because we had a 6 yo we got more discount we went in a vip lodge for about £750 for a whole week. as vip they bring fresh rolls and croissants to your villa every morning and give you 25 euros to spend in the supermarket. We flew for about £50 each, then got a taxi for about £60 each way. so it adds up but still 2-3 times cheaper than the equavilant in this country.

Very enjoyable holiday, obviously loads going on, quite a small site so easy to get about.

belgo · 18/11/2007 07:40

Erperheide in Belgium is great.

We're going to one in Germany in january, it's costing us 140 euros for five days for the four of us.

olliepolly · 18/11/2007 20:39

We went to de kempervennen last year and had a great time.
Am stuggling with the web site this time though as it will not give me the young family discount.
Any one else agree that the web site can be a bit frustrating,
Any tips?

Original poster
triplets · 18/11/2007 20:40

Thanks, sounds as though I am spoilt for choice! Are all the accomodations good?

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Original poster
triplets · 18/11/2007 20:42

Hi,
I have had the same problem, wondering if they won`t give all the discounts at each site, I particularly want to go to Port Zeland as I would like to visit some old friends, it offers the early booking discount but nothing else!

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Furball · 18/11/2007 20:46

I booked online - the website has now changed abit, but look for the discounts page and see if you qualify. Then just add the codes.

Furball · 18/11/2007 20:48

is says pick the code for ot at stage 3 of booking ad you can use it with early booking code

Original poster
triplets · 18/11/2007 20:54

I did that but there isnt actually a code to type in, some sites if you play around show the discounts when you get to stage 3, others dont offer any!

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Furball · 18/11/2007 20:58

give them a ring

Original poster
triplets · 18/11/2007 23:17

yes, I will in the morning, thanks

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christywhisty · 27/11/2007 23:50

I have been to Erperheide, De Huttenheugte, Het Meerdal and Het Heidjerbos and they are all excellent value. I usually book over the phone because we usually go for 10 days which wasn't possible then on the website. We have had economy and deluxe and have been really happy with both.

It is worth booking the meals in advance as they are really good value.
The sites are very much alike we found that

Het Heidjebos has a lovely jungle dome which my dc's loved, although we found the rapids a bit more dangerous for younger children than the other parks.

Erperheide is good for little ones and the big ball park is good fun for all ages.

PatsyCline · 19/12/2007 18:18

We went by train from Schiphol to De Eemhof parc as my Dh doesn't like driving there. The trains were extremely efficient and low cost and a coach took you straight fromt he station to the parc (no queuing to get in unlike car drivers!). De Eemhof was very similar to UK parcs but the food was more 'continental'. You could also get red bean baby food in the supermarket.

We had a VIP lodge (with sauna) for a miniscule amount compared to the same period in the UK.

hippipotTEDCHRISTMASTREEami · 19/12/2007 20:25

We are hoping to go to Het Heyderbos in August. I also cannot get the young family discount to work, but when I checked the small print it cleverly states the discount is only applicable to some holidays

Can someone tell me, do I need to book activities such as the Jungle Dome and the Swimming pool seperately, and do they cost extra, or are they included?

TIA!

Furball · 19/12/2007 20:31

I don't know what the jungle dome is but the swimming pool you just go free of charge as and when you like

hippipotTEDCHRISTMASTREEami · 19/12/2007 20:36

Fantastic, thank you! The jungle dome is some sort of dome with a jungle in it (duh I am not explaining this well) and you take an adventure trail through it I think. Will email them about it.

But thanks for the reassurance about the pool

Christywhisty · 20/12/2007 20:37

The jungle dome is free and works on the same priciple as the swimming pool. You get a pass that takes you into both.

The dome has lots of walk ways, animals which you can help feed sometimes, a small clay area where you can scoop up some clay and make models(get very mucky so use old clothes), never sure if they ever got fired. There is a cafe so parents can relax. My DC's loved it will put some photos on my profile.

Christywhisty · 20/12/2007 21:01

Forgot to say there is a lovely stables at Het Heijebos (sp)as well

hippipotTEDCHRISTMASTREEami · 20/12/2007 21:06

Ooooh thanks Christy, I can't wait now! (but are not planning on going till August)

My friend today said to pay extra and choose the location of your villa otherwise you end up really far away from all ameneties, is that right? Did you choose the location of your villa??

Fantastic pics too - thank you so much

Christywhisty · 20/12/2007 21:32

We have chosen in the past it was about 15euros, but we have never been more than 10 minutes walk away.

smartiejake · 20/12/2007 21:50

Center parcs Port zeland is fab- near a lovely beach and with a really great pool complex. The villas are really nice- like town houses.

Also not centre parcs but much cheaper are sun parcs. One of them we went to (Ouste dunkirke) was awful (looked like a prison camp) but the second fab (De hann) De hann is also really easy to get to and its not very far from theme parks(One called Plopsa land lol!) It is near to a super beach and has a fab pool centre with some brilliant slides. It's also a bit like the uk center parcs as it's in the middle of a wood.

NotEvenHopingForAWhiteXmas · 20/12/2007 22:00

We went to De Eemhoff in August too!

We stayed in a 3 bedroom economy villa booked at the last minute and were very pleased with it.

We went via Le Shuttle and drove. Wasn't too onerous.

Original poster
triplets · 28/12/2007 22:29

Smartie, good to hear about Port Zelande as we have booked a midweek break in May half term, thought it was a bargain compared to here, offered us a vip villa for 500 euros, think they have their own beach? Any tips for that park, we have 10yr old triplets!

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smartiejake · 29/12/2007 10:59

A tip I can give you is DO NOT follow the instructions on how to get there that they send you. We spent about 2 hours being lost looking for a ferry they said we needed to catch. We thn found out that the ferry was no longer operational and that a tunnel was what we needed to look for!

There are water sports there on a lake and a short walk to a lovely beach.
The pool complex is great with the usual chutes and wave pools.
There is also a sports hall with tennis/ badminton e.t.c. ALso a bowling alley if my memory serves me correctly.
We took kids between ages of 3 and 10 and they all had a great time.

Original poster
triplets · 30/12/2007 17:10

Thanks Smartie,
Was it the Breskens ferry? Its over 30 years roughly since I have been over there, our town was twinned with Vlissingen which is not far from Port Zelande, about an hour. I know from looking on the map that there is a tunnel there now, is that what you meant? Did you eat at the restaurants, we will take a load of food from here, but is there a reasonable supermarket?

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